New Zealand old age pension.

[JAG]

I am British, but I am asking on behalf of an elderly New Zealand friend of mine.

 

"D" is in his late 70s, and moved to live in Thailand on his retirement aged 65.

 

He is married to a Thai, herself a retired nurse. They live - scrape by really - on her pension. He has adult children in New Zealand, and a divorced wife, but they really don't seem to care.

 

He receives no pension whatsoever from New Zealand, despite having "paid in" throughout his entire working life, he was a qualified electrician. He tells me that he was denied at an interview when he applied, because he was moving abroad. His account of the interview was that it was extremely hostile, verging on the vitriolic, and he was very upset about it. Of course that was a long time ago, and beyond pursuing itself, the harpy who condemned him as a dirty old man off to live with a tart is probably herself retired.

 

This seems to me, to be somewhat unjust - as a Brit my government pension is "frozen" at the amount when I retired - but to simply receive nothing?

 

"D" is not particularly articulate, rather shy and completely non "tech/computer savvy". It is my intention to try to pursue this matter for him, using initially an email address which I will generate for him; but first I would like confirmation that, as he believes, he is simply not entitled to any pension. Any kind Kiwi soul who can advise?

[Paul Catton]

 

Hi JAG

 

Start with the following link.

 

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/seniors/superannuation/who-can-get-it/index.html#yearstable

 

 

I would say he's eligible and am quite happy to assist him with a representation on the ground here in NZ.

 

PM me with relevant details and will start the ground work.

 

Kind regards

Paul